Analysis: Why the DTM is not orphaned without Mercedes?

On Monday evening, Mercedes shocked the Motorsport community, announced his retirement from DTM after 2018. What threatens the German touring car championship, the loss of such a large and famous manufacturer? Understands the publication Motorsport-Total.

Is it terrible care of Mercedes?

First of all, the withdrawal of the concern from Stuttgart does not mean the end of DTM. If in 2019 will not be a new manufacturer in the championship will remain two of the group’s Audi and BMW, but this is not the first such case in the history of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.

At the end of 2005 when the series left Opel, following six years in the DTM involved only Audi and Mercedes, while in 2012 they were joined by BMW, immediately won the championship with Bruno Spengler.

Is it possible the arrival of a new manufacturer?

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Currently, Honda, Lexus and Nissan are in SuperGT, the cars which are similar to the DTM cars. The promised transition to technical regulations of the “Class 1” will allow to unify rules in the European and Asian Tours, which may open doors to the Japanese manufacturers in the German touring car championship.

As stated by the head of BMW Motorsport Jens Marquardt, the arrival of Toyota cannot be ruled out.

“Judging by conversations with my former colleagues from Cologne, Lexus may come in the DTM, he said. – The manufacturer of cars of premium class very well fit into our series. Given the base in Cologne, they can easily run such a program, if you want.”

In Cologne comment about a possible arrival in the DTM refused.

The head of Motorsport Audi’s Dieter Gass in the course of the racing weekend on Norisring three weeks ago, said that the interest of the producers really is.

“The negotiations between ITR and potential participants are constantly,” said Gass.

What is the reaction of the DTM for Mercedes care?

“Mercedes announced his retirement before the end of 2018, – said the Chairman of the DTM Gerhard Berger. – It will give ITR a while to analyse a situation and create a solid vision for the future”.

What is likely now in talks with new producers will come to a new level, and soon we can expect good news.

KM Vision Photography

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